Motorcycle Safety Tips for the Summer

11 Jul Motorcycle Safety Tips for the Summer

The summer months provide some of the best days to dust off the motorcycle and go for a ride, but the changing weather comes with increased risks. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), 37% of motorcycle fatalities occur in summer months – June, July, and August.

Here are some motorcycle safety tips to make sure your two-wheel journeys lead you to your destination.

1. Avoid rough pavement – with the summer weather comes summer construction projects to replace the roads and bridges we all take for granted. Many times construction teams dig up the old pavement before they put down the new, fresh tar. On highways, the roads are sometimes left half done, some lanes paved smooth while adjacent ones are left rough. Driving on smooth pavement is not just a better ride on the behind, but also can increase visibility with less vibration on side mirrors.
2. Ride during the week – You may think that the weekend is the ideal time to take your bike for a spin, but the best time to ride is during the week. IIHS statistics show that nearly as many motorcycle deaths happen on the weekend (from 6 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Monday) as they do during the entire rest of the week.
3. Wear Sunglasses – the sun is obviously in the sky much longer in the summer. Not only can a sunny day impair your vision, but so can glare off of the cars around you. Sunglasses or a tinted visor on your helmet will ensure that you can be aware of your surroundings.
4. Utilize the HOV Lane – Many highways, especially ones near cities, have high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. U.S. law (title 23, section 166) permits motorcycles to use the HOV during peak travel times. Even if you are not riding through rush hour, the HOV lane can separate you from the rest of the traffic. That will minimize the risk of car-related accidents, especially with the summer congestion of traffic.

Follow these tips to ensure that you can have several two-wheel memories throughout the summer! If you have any questions about your motorcyle’s insurance policy, be sure to give your SAVA Insurance agent a call.

860-437-7282

*